EPSTEIN WAS ROBERT MUGABE, AND PUTIN’S WEALTH MANAGER – EPSTEIN FILES
Unsealed evidence related to the billionaire sex offender includes testimony from a “confidential human source” about Epstein’s business dealings.
The source claimed that Epstein served as a wealth manager for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as former Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 President Robert Mugabe.
Officially, Putin collects a modest salary, though a financier alleged to Congress in 2017 that the Russian president “has accumulated $200 billion of ill-gotten gains” through corruption and criminal activity.
More evidence related to the alleged crimes of Jeffrey Epstein has been released by the Justice Department, revealing new details about the personal and professional life of the convicted sex offender billionaire.
Included in the large bulk of newly unsealed documents is FBI testimony from a confidential human source, or “CHS,” taken on Nov. 27, 2017. The testimony occurred about a year and a half before Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges; he died by suicide awaiting trial.
The source’s testimony isn’t related to Epstein’s sex crimes — he also pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008, making him a registered sex offender — but his business dealings.
At the time of his death, a filing in Epstein’s sex trafficking case estimated his net worth at roughly $560 million, according to CBS News. He also owned a Manhattan townhouse worth more than $50 million, a ranch in New Mexico worth $17 million, a mansion in Palm Beach, Fla., estimated at about $12 million, an $8.6 million apartment in Paris, and two private islands — Great St. James and Little St. James — that were purchased for $60 million in 2023.
The FBI’s source, who had an established relationship with the bureau, claimed in their testimony that Epstein — a wealth manager — “made his money from charging his clients fees to hide their money offshore.”
There have been plenty of headlines about Epstein’s connections to powerful businessmen like Donald Trump and Bill Gates, and even royalty like Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. However, the FBI testimony alleged that the businessman was a resource for other powerful politicians.
“Epstein was President Vladimir Putin’s wealth manager and provided the same service for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe,” the source claimed. PEOPLE has reached out to the Kremlin for comment. – PEOPLE
Queen Nadia TV’s Mother Apologises To The Nation For Daughter’s Facebook Videos A woman identifying herself as the mother of South Africa-based Zimbabwean influencer Queen Nadia TV has issued a public apology to Zimbabweans over her daughter’s Facebook videos, saying she feels embarrassed, blamed and distressed by the public backlash the content has generated.
The apology, delivered in a video circulating online on February 4, 2026, comes as Queen Nadia TV continues to trend for posting multiple short Facebook videos that feature brief flashes of nudity. The clips, often described as “view-once” content, have circulated widely, triggering national debate and drawing the attention of authorities.
“People Are Bringing Me These Videos” In the video, the woman introduced herself as Queen Nadia TV’s mother and explained why she felt compelled to address the nation.
“I am very embarrassed as a mother,” she said.
“People are sending me WhatsApp messages every day. Others are coming to my home to show me the videos of my daughter and telling me to counsel her.”
She said the constant exposure to the videos and the public reaction had left her overwhelmed.
“Some are not just sending messages,” she said.
“They come personally to show me what my daughter is doing.”
What The Videos Are — And Why They Caused Uproar Queen Nadia TV’s Facebook content consists of short, self-recorded clips in which she appears on camera and briefly exposes intimate parts of her body. The videos are posted on Facebook, a mainstream platform used by adults and children alike, rather than on adult-only sites.
The clips are often labelled or described as “view-once”. However, viewers can still screen-record or share them, allowing the videos to spread beyond their original posts.
This distribution method has raised concern because:
Facebook is easily accessible to minors
The nudity appears without age-restricted barriers
The content is widely monetised through views
Zimbabwean authorities have warned that digital content consumed in Zimbabwe remains subject to national law, regardless of where the creator is based or how briefly the material is posted.
“I Tried To Advise Her, But She Refused” The woman said she had tried to counsel her daughter privately but claimed her efforts had failed.
“I advised her many times,” she said.
“But my words fell on deaf ears. She tells me this is where her bread is buttered.”
She also said she was initially unaware of the videos.
“I searched for them myself on Facebook and could not find them,” she said.
“I later realised I was blocked. I only saw the videos after people brought them to me.”
The apology has since divided opinion online, with some questioning whether a parent should apologise for the actions of an adult child. Others have even disputed whether the woman is Queen Nadia TV’s biological mother.
THE unexpected withdrawal of 84% of HIV funding to Zambia by the United States (US) President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has triggered an increase in HIV infections and HIV-related deaths in the country, experts have observed.
The Network of Zambian People Living with HIV (NZP+) warns that the aid freeze has disrupted HIV services leading to an increase in new infections and deaths in Lusaka and other provinces.
In an interview with The Mast, NZP+ executive director Fred Chungu said a mathematical modeling study estimated that a three-month disruption in aid could lead to 54,860 new HIV infections (+13%) and 32,550 additional deaths (+8.7%), while a four-year disruption could result in 552,500 new infections (+130% ) and 330,400 deaths (+89%).
The Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS) last week announced an increase in HIV infections in the capital city, Lusaka, in 2025, standing at 12.1%.
Commenting on the spike, Chungu described the situation as serious, especially among vulnerable populations like adolescents, children and women.
“With the US aid cut, HIV awareness campaigns in Lusaka have been affected, making it harder for people to get useful and up-to-date information and adhere to life-sustaining treatment,” he said.
Chungu urged government to quickly roll out its sustainability plan prioritising domestic funding towards HIV programmes and activities.
He said any further delay to domestically fund HIV activities would affect outreach programmes, including testing and treatment services.
“NZP+ is currently struggling to raise its yearly US$1 million to effectively tackle the resurgence of the epidemic. We are currently relying on K2 million annual malaria support for Central and Copperbelt provinces from the Global Fund, which is not enough to also cater for HIV,” Chungu said.
He feared HIV statistics would continue to escalate if the government failed to find domestic funding.
Chungu is worried about reports of people selling ARVs, calling for a probe into the matter.
“We have asked that our members be monitored in the collection of supplies to ensure that there is no pilferage and resale,” he said.
He, however, commended government for restocking health centres with the single-dose ARV, TAFED, which had fewer side effects.
In May last year, the US Embassy in Lusaka announced the Donald Trump administration was cutting funding to the health sector by US$50 million effective January 2026.
LATE PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU NEVER WANTED BRIAN MUNDUBILE AS HIS SUCCESSOR
As Zambia edges closer to the 2026 General Election, renewed debate has emerged within the Patriotic Front (PF) over who the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu intended to groom as the party’s presidential candidate—his so-called “Plan B”—in the event that he was barred from contesting.
The definitive truth may never be fully established. However, accounts from individuals who were close to the late President suggest a narrative that differs sharply from the version now being advanced by some factions within the PF.
At one point, Brian Mundubile was indeed considered among those who could potentially assume the leadership of the party following President Lungu’s anticipated retirement from active politics. The idea initially appeared attractive. Mundubile was viewed as politically experienced, and respected independent voices consulted by President Lungu—including Brebner Changala— supported the notion.
However, President Lungu was known for being meticulous and deliberate in matters of succession. Rather than rushing the process, he took time to assess the character, loyalty, and judgment of those under consideration. It was during this period of closer scrutiny that serious doubts about Mundubile emerged.
According to sources familiar with the matter, President Lungu became convinced that Mundubile could not be trusted. Mundubile was willing to trade sensitive political information that could have jeopardized President Lungu’s political future in exchange for relief from prosecution linked to multiple government contracts awarded to his companies during his tenure as Minister for Northern Province.
These developments marked a decisive turning point. Trust between the two men collapsed, and efforts at reconciliation were undermined by what the late President interpreted as arrogance and a complete lack of remorse on Mundubile’s part.
Matters deteriorated further when Mundubile was linked to a series of disparaging posts directed at President Lungu via the Munyaule Facebook page, operated through Chanda Nonde. The sustained online attacks, viewed as deeply disrespectful, reportedly convinced President Lungu that Mundubile lacked both loyalty and the temperament required to lead the country’s largest opposition party.
Consequently, President Lungu distanced himself from Mundubile. Observers at the time noted that Mundubile’s access to President Lungu’s Ibex Hill residence became restricted. The same limitations applied to Chris Zumani Zimba, who had earlier fallen out of favor after advising President Lungu to concede defeat following the 2021 general elections—an incident that nearly turned violent, involving then State House Aide-de-Camp Chisanga Chanda.
To this day, relations between Zumani Zimba and Chisanga Chanda remain strained. It is, therefore, not surprising to some observers that Mundubile and Zumani Zimba now find themselves aligned, bound by shared political grievances and mutual interests.
In the interest of allowing readers to reflect and draw their own conclusions, this article ends here. A follow-up piece will delve deeper into unresolved questions surrounding these events.
For now, one question remains unavoidable: have you ever wondered why Brian Mundubile has never been arrested in connection with the Munyaule case?
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema and the people of Southern Province must seriously learn from the voting pattern exhibited by the electorate in Kasama during the recently held mayoral by-election, All People’s Congress Party (APC) President Nason Msoni has said.
Kasama residents voted without any regional or tribal inclination.
Speaking in an interview with The Mast from London, United Kingdom, Msoni described as destructive the political solidarity and regionalism practiced by the people of Southern Province who only vote for fellow Southerners during elections.
“So, President Hichilema should not only toast the Kasama victory senselessly but use this occasion to reflect on his own behaviour as a leader,” he said.
Msoni said Hichilema had squandered an earliest opportunity to change the narrative in his five year tenure.
The people of Northern Province were trying hard under difficult circumstances to teach Hichilema and Southerners that tribal politics had no place in a modern day society, and it was possible to unite all Zambians as one regardless of their origin.
“By voting for a party that is associated with regional voting, the people of Kasama are expecting Southerners to change in the voting patterns in Southern Province also,” Msoni said.
He said if the voting pattern in Southern Province was allowed to continue, Southerners risked being rejected in other regions as well on the basis of how they reject other tribes in their homeland.
“We encourage Southerners to reflect deeply on the outcome of the voting pattern in Kasama as that is how it should be,” Msoni said.
“Mr Hichilema must be ashamed that despite the way he has ill-treated, under-represented and maligned the people from other regions, they have not repaid him with evil but love and support,” he said.
Msoni said Hichilema would go down in Zambia’s history as a head of state who divided citizens through the promotion of regionalism.
“Hichilema’s style of leadership will be remembered as having appointed more people from a particular region into key state and government institutions, including the diplomatic, defence and security wings,” he said.
Zambia needed an impartial president to unite citizens and not divide them.
“Look at the people surrounding him at State House. They all hail from the same region,” Msoni said.
🇿🇲 VIEWPOINT | Zumani’s Tonse Thesis: Betrayal, Succession, and the War for Lungu’s Political Shadow
Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba’s appearance on the KBN Big Hour programme last night was not a routine interview. It was a sweeping political autopsy of the Patriotic Front, delivered by a man who once sat close to Edgar Lungu and now speaks from inside the Tonse Alliance faction led by Brian Mundubile, at a moment when the opposition has fractured into competing centres of authority.
Zimba’s message was blunt: PF did not merely lose power in 2021. In his telling, it lost itself.
He framed the former president’s final years as emotionally defined by what he called political treachery. “The Lungu family are among the most traumatized family as we speak today,” he said, arguing that betrayal and internal collapse drained the former leader long before his death. He returned repeatedly to one theme: Lungu could not accept losing PF to UPND, describing it as “one of the most political painful things for ECL.”
Zimba then presented what he called Lungu’s “Plan B” as a strategic escape route from PF’s legal and factional crisis. He claimed the former president had decided that Tonse Alliance would become the vehicle for 2026. “In May he confirmed that he had decided on plan B… and he said when I come back I’ll come and announce and we shall win 2026 on Tonse Alliance,” Zimba said.
The interview’s most striking passages were reserved for Miles Sampa, whom Zimba portrayed as the central villain in PF’s unraveling. He described him as “the man who sold PF from the hands of PF members,” adding: “How can a political Judas who transacted PF to UPND now become Tonse?”
Zimba argued that Sampa’s actions left Lungu politically stranded. “He never died as a PF as a happy PF president because PF was not given to him,” he said, insisting that the party machinery was already lost in factional warfare and court battles..
This is where Zimba’s narrative intersects with Zambia’s larger opposition problem: legitimacy.
He contrasted aspirants with Mundubile, claiming the Tonse leader now stands above the pack because he is no longer merely seeking leadership. “He’s a duly and a democratically elected presidential candidate,” Zimba said. He also suggested Mundubile carried implicit endorsement from Lungu himself, noting that on a hospital bed in South Africa, Lungu appointed him parliamentary affairs chairperson for Tonse. “The trust in BM… is coming from President Lungu before he died,” he said.
Zimba dismissed the Lubinda-led PF faction in unusually personal language, arguing that its expulsions and suspensions no longer carry institutional force. “Nobody takes them serious,” he said, calling them “political comedians and spoilers,” and portraying the faction as issuing commands that no one obeys.
The interview also advanced a controversial claim at the heart of Tonse’s internal dispute: that the alliance was built around a
n “ECL PF movement” rather than the PF party itself. “It was ECL himself in his individual capacity… as well as his movement,” Zimba argued, insisting Tonse was designed as a tailor-made platform once PF became compromised.
This is a politically consequential argument, because it attempts to shift legitimacy away from party structures and toward Lungu’s personal political estate. It is also precisely where Tonse’s contradictions widen.
Zambia’s alliances remain unregistered entities, often operating through borrowed party vehicles such as FDD or smaller partners. Zimba’s insistence that Tonse is owned by its founders, not anchored in formal party authority, highlights the unresolved legal question: who controls adoption papers, ballot access, and enforceable structures when elections arrive.
Zimba’s interview, in effect, was not just a defence of Mundubile. It was an attempt to rewrite the PF collapse as a moral story: betrayal on one side, succession planning on the other, and Tonse as Lungu’s unfinished rescue project.
But the political reality remains harsher than the rhetoric. Tonse itself is now split into rival conferences and competing claims. PF remains tied up in injunctions and factional control battles. Each camp invokes Lungu’s name as if proximity to his memory equals authority in the present.
Zimba spoke with certainty, but his certainty also exposes the deeper vacuum: Zambia’s opposition is still fighting over inheritance, not offering a settled alternative programme of government.
The interview was powerful, emotional, and politically loaded. It also revealed the core truth of this season: the opposition is no longer arguing only against UPND. It is arguing over who owns the ruins of PF, who inherits Lungu’s shadow, and whether Tonse is a solution or simply the next arena of fragmentation.
“FAKE OCIDA ENDORSING HH IS A CRIMINAL ACT, POLICE MUST ACT!” – CHANGALA Governance activist and commentator Brebner Changala has strongly rejected claims that the Our-Civic-Duty Association (OCiDA) has endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling UPND ahead of the 2026 general elections, describing the announcement as fraudulent and politically motivated.
Mr. Changala said the purported endorsement does not represent the true OCiDA, arguing that the individuals who addressed the media under the organisation’s name were impersonators linked to the ruling party.
“This is UPND endorsing itself out of desperation. We don’t have such characters in OCiDA,” Changala said. “That was a UPND gallery of impersonators paraded as OCIDA office bearers.”
Earlier in the day, a group identifying itself as OCiDA announced its support for President Hichilema and the UPND, citing the need for continuity, economic recovery, institutional reforms and stability. The group also warned against leadership change, arguing it could disrupt ongoing reforms and investor confidence.
However, Changala dismissed the statement in its entirety, insisting that the real OCiDA has not sanctioned any such endorsement and would not align itself with partisan politics.
He further accused the ruling party of attempting to cloak political campaigning under the banner of civil society, calling it an abuse of democratic space.
“OCIDA is a public civil society organisation. Has anyone seen those faces that were paraded today as OCIDA leaders?” he questioned. Changala also reflected on OCiDA’s support for the UPND during the 2021 elections, saying the organisation now regrets that decision due to what he termed growing authoritarian tendencies, abuses and national suffering under the current administration.
“We supported UPND and HH in 2021, and we are collectively guilty for all the abuses and suffering the nation is passing through,” he said. “We can never repeat supporting UPND in its current autocratic state.”
He warned that the matter would be formally reported to law enforcement agencies, describing the use of OCiDA’s name as a criminal offence. “This is a police case going forward,” Changala said. KUMWESU
PF MP’S READY TO JOIN UPND – MUNG’ANDU CHAMA South Member of Parliament Davison Mung’andu says Patriotic Front Members of Parliament are ready to resign and join the UPND once Parliament is dissolved.
Mr. Mung’andu says opposition lawmakers have resolved to align themselves with President Hakainde Hichilema and his leadership, citing a clear and progressive vision for the country’s development.
He says the MPs are convinced that President Hichilema’s policies and governance approach present a viable path to economic recovery and sustainable development.
Mr. Mung’andu was speaking when the Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters paid a courtesy call on North Western Province Permanent Secretary Colonel Grandson Katambi.
He said members of the opposition are eager to be part of the UPND administration in order to actively contribute to national development. ZNBC
THE Our-Civic-Duty Association has endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development-UPND in the August 2026 general election.
OSiDA Spokesperson Simwinji Simwinji has called on Zambians to support President Hichilema and the UPND Alliance in the August citing the need for continuity and stability as the country undergoes economic recovery.
Mr. Simwinji has warned that a change in leadership at this stage could disrupt ongoing reforms, weaken investor confidence, slow infrastructure development, and derail youth empowerment programmes and institutional strengthening efforts.
The association has noted that Zambia is currently in a recovery phase, with foundations being laid for long-term prosperity.
He says Zambians must not forget the sufferings they underwent under the leadership of the formal ruling party where lawlessness and mismanagement of resources plunged the country into distress.
The civic organisation says it is convinced that Zambia is in capable hands and that maintaining the current leadership will ensure stability and sustained progress.
OCIDA has also stated that its endorsement of the UPND does not in any way represent political inclination.
Meanwhile, has OCiDA urged the government to formalise small-scale mining, expedite constituency delimitation, eliminate load shedding, ensure timely farmer payments, and bring lawful closure to the burial of former President Edgar Lungu.
FEBRUARY 5: THE DAY OF NSINGU AND THE HEROIC NGONI WARRIORS
Today, February 5, marks 128 years since Nsingu, known as Nsingu in siZulu and Nsingo in ciNsenga, son of the first Mpezeni, Jele, was executed at dawn by the British forces of Cecil John Rhodes and his British South Africa Company.
After surrounding the Ngoni headquarters on February 3, 1898, British forces captured Nsingu the following day, February 4. He was sentenced to death in a hastily organized sham court-martial. At dawn on February 5, he was executed. Two of his wives asked to be killed alongside their husband, and they were shot and buried next to him. What crime did Nsingu commit? He refused to allow Rhodes’ British forces to seize their land, the Chipata.
Today, 128 years later, as we honour Nsingu and the heroic Ngoni warriors for their courage, selflessness, and patriotism, we can compare this with the cowardice, treachery, betrayal, selfishness, and dishonesty that currently dominate and characterise the leadership of our homeland.
As we go to the polls on August 13, there is a need to restore the courage, honour, and dignity of Nsingu and the Ngoni warriors to our homeland by electing a leadership that embodies the selfless and patriotic spirit of Nsingu and those young heroic Ngoni warriors.
These were principled individuals who, unlike our today’s political opportunists, did not fear defeat. All that mattered was whether the cause was just or not, not whether it was popular and winnable. Like Nsingu and those young Ngoni warriors, for us, there is no choice between being principled and unelectable and electable and unprincipled. We should win because of what we believe in.
But who was Nsingu, and what led to his ultimate sacrifice? After discovering gold south of Chipata, in what is now Zimbabwe, Rhodes and his company executives believed there must also be gold further north in the Chipeta region. Rhodes began claiming that the Chipeta was part of his territory.
The Ngonis refused to surrender the Chipeta to him, asserting it was their land. By mid-1897, it became clear to the Ngonis that they would face a military attack from Rhodes’ British forces. This greatly worried Mpezeni and the Ngoni elders, who well understood the superior strength of the British forces based at nearby Kotakota in what is now Malawi.
While the ageing Mpezeni and his indunas pondered how to respond to the imminent British attack, his son Nsingu made it clear that only over his dead body would Rhodes take their land and minerals. He began organising a force of young Ngoni warriors to defend their homeland. L
By early December 1897, when Rhodes’ British forces attacked the Chipeta, Nsingu had assembled a warrior force of approximately 10,000 young Ngonis armed with the assegai, the short stabbing spear developed by Shaka.
Although the Ngonis had acquired a few guns through trade, they realised these were insufficient to counter the superior firepower of the British forces. Moreover, gunpowder and ammunition would have to be sourced from the very people they were fighting. They had no choice but to rely on the assegai.
This war was profoundly uneven. Yet the Ngonis mounted a courageous and tenacious resistance, even managing to defeat the British forces in the battle around the village of Induna Kapatamoyo. But the British forces returned with a vengeance and exterminated every living creature in that area. For two months, vultures were hovering the village of induna Kapatamoyo feasting on the carcases.
When the Ngoni headquarters fell on February 4, 1898, and Nsingu was executed on February 5, the ageing Mpezeni fled to hide in the hills around Feni. He was eventually captured, arrested, and imprisoned at Fort Manning. Upon his release from prison, the depressed old man did not live long. He died in 1900.
While in prison, Mpezeni asked the Dutch Reformed Church to assist with education, agriculture, and evangelization in Chipeta. At the end of this two-month war in 1898, the Ngonis possessed 12,000 heads of cattle. This represented considerable wealth, and all that was needed was increased trade for the Ngonis to have the resources to build schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure necessary for development. But by 1900, only 2,500 heads of cattle remained after Rhodes and his company’s looting. They claimed these were reparation payments, for a war they themselves had started and won!
A new and complex era such as ours requires principles more than ever. It requires far greater awareness. This awareness is built by combining experiences of the past and the present with a vision of an anticipated future. It must be built by synthesizing all revolutionary thought, the best ethical and humane ideas of all authentic religions, the sum total of the teachings of many political thinkers, and many progressive schools of thought.
Political ideas are worthless if they are not inspired by noble, selfless sentiments. Likewise, noble sentiments are worthless if they are not based on correct and fair ideas.
We have chosen to defend certain principles that are of tremendous value at a time of confusion, unbridled populism and opportunism in our country and in the world, a time when many politicians are feathering their own nests and are ready to congregate around outright criminals, thieves, and crooked tenderpreneurs who have misappropriated public funds without delivering on their public works contracts. Crooks, scoundrels, hyenas, and jackals are regrouping without shame. What would Nsingu and his young Ngoni warriors do to such elements?
Eternal glory to the selflessness, principledness, courage, honesty, and incorruptible spirit of Nsingu and the young Ngoni warriors! Aluta continua!
Fred M’membe President of the Socialist Party and People’s Pact 2026 Presidential Candidate
THE Commuter Rights Association of Zambia has urged commuters not to expect reductions in bus fares following the recent reduction in fuel prices by the Energy Regulation Board.
CRAZ President, Aaron Kamuti, says there has been little willingness among key stakeholders to engage and review bus fares, in light of the fuel price reductions.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Kamuti noted that the monthly fuel price review mechanism has also failed to bring stability to the transport sector.
He explained that stakeholders remain concerned that the continued depreciation of the kwacha could trigger further fuel price fluctuations, making it difficult to sustain fare reductions.
Mr. Kamuti has therefore called for the adoption of a more stable fuel pricing mechanism that would promote predictability and long-term stability in the transport sector.
GOVT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS, RULE OF LAW Today, Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa held a press briefing where he addressed matters of national importance.
Here are the highlights: ✅️ Reaffirmed Government’ s committed to upholding democratic principles, the rule of law and transparent governance as the country prepares for the 2026 General Elections.
✅️ Dismissed claims suggesting that free and fair elections cannot be held in Zambia, describing such assertions as unsubstantiated. ✅️ Cited recent by-elections, including the Chawama parliamentary by-election, as evidence of Government’s commitment to credible and transparent electoral processes.
✅️ Emphasized that elections in Zambia are decided on the basis of performance and service delivery, adding that Government’s focus remains on improving the welfare of citizens and strengthening national institutions. ✅️ Meanwhile, the Chief Government Spokesperson assured the nation that there will be no political persecution disguised as anti-corruption efforts.
✅️ Reaffirmed the New Dawn Administration’s principle that is anchored on the rule of law, stressing that all investigations and prosecutions are conducted independently and in accordance with the law, without interference.
✅️ Further stated that the fight against corruption is comprehensive and applies to past, present and future cases, noting that no individual is above the law.
✅️ Called on leaders and public figures to promote responsible discourse, urging the media and stakeholders to encourage accountability, unity and issue-based engagement for the benefit of national development.
✅️ The Minister expressed confidence in the country’s progress, citing economic recovery efforts, debt restructuring and ongoing governance reforms as key milestones towards a stable and predictable future. MIM
COURT SETS FRIDAY TO RULE ON MALANJI’S BAIL PENDING APPEAL
LUSAKA Acting Chief Resident Magistrate Irene Wishimanga has set Friday this week to rule on whether to grant former foreign affairs minister Joe Malanji bail pending appeal or not.
Mr. Malanji is serving a 4-year prison sentence for acquiring properties established to be proceeds of crime, including two helicopters and houses in Silverest, among others, linked to funds allocated for a Zambian chancery in turkey.
Magistrate Wishimanga set the ruling date after the state opposed Mr. Malanji’s bail application, arguing that the mere lodging of an appeal does not entitle him to bail as of right and that he has not demonstrated delay in hearing the appeal.
The state added that bail pending appeal is an exceptional remedy, that the economic and financial crimes court operates on a fast-track timetable, and releasing Mr. Malanji is prejudicial to the prosecution.
However, the defence argued that the appeal raises novel points of law, undermining the conviction, and that the trial magistrate misapplied corporate personality principles.
They claim factual findings linking Mr. Malanji to the source of funds were unsupported by the record, contend there is a realistic prospect of success on appeal, and that Mr. Malanji faces serving a substantial portion of his sentence if bail is refused.
NEWLY elected Kasama Mayor, Bywell Simposya, has been sworn into Office .
And speaking shortly after taking the oath of office Mr Simposya pledged to make garbage collection and sanitation his immediate priority as he begins his tenure.
He said his first task would be to strengthen collaboration with council staff in order to address longstanding challenges at the local authority.
He noted that residents of Kasama had raised concerns over poor waste management, which had left parts of the town littered and exposed to health risks.
“We cannot have a community where flies are all over the town, putting the lives of people at risk. We want to deal with garbage first, and trust us, we are going to move in quickly,” Mr Simposya said.
The mayor emphasised that restoring efficiency in council operations would be critical in ensuring quality service delivery.
He added that once the issue of garbage was tackled, other development priorities for Kasama would follow.
And Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu, who witnessed the event, urged the newly sworn-in Kasama Mayor to provide inclusive leadership and drive the developmental agenda of government in the district.
Mr, Mpundu emphasised that the mayor was not a partisan figure but a leader for all citizens of Kasama, and was expected to discharge duties in line with the broader goals of government.
He said the provincial administration will work closely with the local authority to spearhead
Meanwhile, Kasama Principal Resident Magistrate Benita Nkonde urged newly sworn-in Kasama Mayor to serve the people of Kasama in accordance with the law.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at Kasama Magistrates Court, Ms Nkonde reminded the mayor that the oath of office has given him authority to discharge the functions of his office.
She has, however, cautioned that such authority must be exercised within the framework of the law and council regulations.
“Now that you have been sworn in, Sir, you are vested with authority to discharge the functions of your office. You need to do so in accordance with the law, any other relevant legislation, and by following the regulations of Kasama,” Magistrate Nkonde said.
She emphasised that adherence to legal and regulatory provisions was essential for effective governance and for addressing the challenges that the district is facing.
Ms, Nkonde further expressed optimism that the judiciary and the council would work hand in hand to ensure that service delivery meets the expectations of residents.
Mr Simposya was elected Mayor of Kasama in a by-election held last week that was necessitated by the death of former Mayor Theresa Kolala on December 5, 2025.
ZESCO UNITS ARE NOT MAGICALLY DISAPPEARING — THE TRUTH ABOUT TARIFF ADJUSTMENTS MUST BE TOLD
By Michael Zephaniah Phiri Political Activist
There is a growing and worrying attempt by some commentators and officials to confuse Zambians about why electricity units are finishing faster than before. The narrative being pushed is that nothing has really changed, that people are simply “using more power,” or that this is a technical illusion. This explanation is dishonest, insulting, and disconnected from the lived reality of millions of citizens.
The truth is simple and must be spoken plainly: *electricity tariffs have been adjusted upward under the current government through the Multi-Year Tariff Framework, and this has directly affected how quickly prepaid units are* consumed. No amount of public relations can erase what people see every day when they load power.
Under the Patriotic Front (PF) government, electricity tariffs were deliberately kept relatively low. This was a political choice meant to protect affordability for households, especially the poor and the working class. Yes, this approach created challenges for ZESCO, limited revenue, delayed maintenance, growing arrears, and underinvestment. That reality must be acknowledged honestly. But what cannot be denied is that *ordinary citizens could buy units and use them for a reasonable period without shock and confusion.
Since the UPND government took office in late 2021, Zambia has taken a clear policy direction toward so-called cost-reflective tariffs. This shift was formalized through the *Multi-Year Tariff Framework (MYTF) for 2023–2027,* approved by the Energy Regulation Board. On paper, this framework promises stability and sustainability for ZESCO. In practice, it has meant *higher effective electricity costs for many households,* especially those consuming beyond the lifeline threshold.
The situation was made worse by the introduction of *Emergency Tariffs between November 2024 and October 2025,* justified as a way to raise funds for power imports during shortages caused largely by drought and reduced hydropower generation. During this period, residential tariffs rose sharply, with the highest tier reaching about *K6.39 per kWh.* Even though these emergency tariffs officially ended in November 2025 and rates reverted to the MYTF structure, the damage to household budgets had already been done.
Today, under the *MYTF,* the tariff structure may look reasonable on paper with lifeline units (around the first 100 units) costing roughly *K0.44 per kWh* and the next tier around *K1.05 per kWh*, but the reality is that most urban households do not survive on lifeline consumption alone. Once a family crosses into higher tiers, the cost per unit rises progressively, and *this is* *why units now deplete much faster than they did in previous years.*
To tell citizens that nothing has changed is to lie. To blame consumers for “overusing electricity” without acknowledging tariff restructuring is to avoid accountability. The people are not foolish. They know that the same K200 which once lasted two or three weeks now barely survives a few days and they know it is not because their fridges, TVs, or irons suddenly became greedy.
Yes, drought has affected hydropower. Yes, ZESCO needs money to import electricity and maintain infrastructure. But truth to *power demands honesty.* The government must openly tell the nation that tariff adjustments not imagination, not myths are a major reason units are finishing faster. Only then can there be an honest national conversation about balancing affordability, energy security, and economic sustainability.
Electricity is not a luxury; it is a basic service that touches every home, every business, every school, and every clinic. Policies made in boardrooms must be explained transparently to the people who feel their impact daily. *Zambians deserve clarity, not spin. They deserve truth, not explanations that insult their intelligence.*
Speaking the truth may be uncomfortable, but silence and distortion hurt the nation far more.
THE LUSAKA MAYOR SEAT IS JUST AN ILLUSION OF POWER
Sakala Bwalo Joshua
I just finished watching Mayor Chilando Chitangala on That ZED Podcast (Ep 204), and honestly, it was a wake up call. We need to talk about why our city looks the way it does.
We go to the polls to vote for a Mayor, but the seat we are voting for is essentially “toothless.”
My Key Takeaways:
• The Mayor is blamed for a dirty city, but she doesn’t have the power to hire or fire the people working under her. The staff are appointed by the Central Government, leading to “carderism” instead of professionalism.
• Even though she was independently elected, she still operates under the Ministry of Local Government. If the Minister says “leave the vendors,” the Mayor’s hands are tied. She even name dropped Hon. Garry Nkombo, mentioning they both got in trouble previously just for trying to do their jobs.
• Despite the politics, she has delivered where it counts, council workers are finally being paid on time, revenue collection is up, and she’s secured $10 Million for city projects ( Not from the Zambian Government)
• It doesn’t matter who we put in that seat Independent, Opposition, or Ruling Party as long as the Mayor is not EXECUTIVE, they will always be a puppet to political interference. Lusaka only gets clean if Plot 1 wants it clean.
but after watching this interview, I’m worried. Will the person I want to vote for be able to move a single vendor if the system stays this way? – I would honestly want to read/hear his Manifesto at this point.
We need an Executive Mayor who can actually run the city without asking for permission from “P1” for every decision.
CEELDD ANNOUNCES PROGRESS ON NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO RESHAPE ZAMBIA’S GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMY
Preparations for a proposed National Conference aimed at reshaping Zambia’s governance and economic direction are progressing well, the Council of Elders for Ethical Leadership, Democracy and Development (CEELDD) has announced.
In a statement, CEELDD said the conference seeks to offer a unified, values-driven alternative for Zambia by bringing together political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based institutions, and other stakeholders under a shared national vision.
Speaking as Chairperson of the National Conference Planning Steering Committee, Prince Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika said the initiative is grounded in collective action and national unity. “We are approaching this exercise with full confidence that nothing is impossible if citizens come together, think together, plan together, act together, and resist undemocratic forces together,” he said.
The Planning Steering Committee, established in January 2026, has been consulting widely with groups across the political and social spectrum to facilitate dialogue, build consensus, and agree on a collective path forward at a time when many Zambians are calling for deeper reforms.
Prince Mbikusita-Lewanika said the committee will continue meeting in the coming months to finalise the programme and content of the National Conference, which is expected to attract high-profile participants, including a global guest of honour and distinguished academicians who will lead discussions on key thematic areas.
He emphasised that the conference will not focus solely on politics but will tackle broad structural issues, including resetting the governance system, restructuring the economic framework, and addressing long-standing national challenges.
Political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based institutions, and other stakeholders have been invited to formally send delegates to the conference, with Prince Mbikusita-Lewanika stressing that inclusive participation is crucial to ensuring outcomes with national legitimacy.
He reiterated that the initiative is not centered on promoting any individual leader, but on building consensus around a shared reform agenda. The conference aims to agree on a minimum programme for change to guide Zambia’s political and economic development beyond electoral cycles.
“All Zambians are urged to join in this effort to bring about radical change and build a better future for our country,” he said.
Prince Mbikusita-Lewanika indicated that the National Conference is expected to culminate in the adoption of a Fourth Republican Constitution shortly after August 13, 2026, and reaffirmed CEELDD’s commitment to promoting ethical leadership, democratic values, and sustainable development.
He described the National Conference as a critical opportunity for Zambians to collectively redefine the nation’s trajectory and secure a more inclusive and prosperous future.
■ ZAMBIA–GHANA VISA WAIVER TO BOOST TRADE AND BUSINESS
Zambia and Ghana are preparing to introduce visa-free travel between the two countries as part of a broader push to deepen business, trade, and economic cooperation. The agreement coincides with the State Visit of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who arrived in Lusaka on 4 February for high-level talks with President Hakainde Hichilema.
The visa waiver, confirmed by Ghana’s Foreign Minister ahead of the visit, was described as a direct presidential directive. President Mahama instructed officials to ensure the agreement was concluded before travelling, underscoring the role of free movement in supporting economic growth and private-sector engagement.
Negotiations initially faced technical hurdles linked to passport classifications, but discussions continued under senior political guidance. Final approval was granted late on the night before the visit, allowing the agreement to be concluded.
The visa-free arrangement is expected to ease travel for businesspeople, officials, and citizens, while strengthening trade links and investment flows. It aligns with wider cooperation discussions covering agriculture, energy, mining value addition, fintech, and digital innovation.
President Mahama’s programme includes bilateral talks, a parliamentary address, and participation in a business forum focused on AfCFTA opportunities, positioning the visa waiver as a practical outcome of the visit.
“Mafiathon 3” – Kai Cenat Touches Down in Lagos to Push Forward $5 Million School Project
Famous American Twitch streamer and content creator Kai Cenat has arrived in Lagos for his second visit to Nigeria, reigniting conversations around his ambitious pledge to build a school for underprivileged children.
The Grand Welcome
Cenat was greeted with a festive reception featuring live music upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday. His return has generated significant buzz across social media, coming nearly a year after his first trip to the country.
Project Update: Shift to Yaba
The streamer’s $5 million initiative, originally intended for the Makoko waterfront community, faced early setbacks due to regulatory hurdles and land acquisition issues in the floating settlement. Consequently, the project site has been relocated to Yaba to ensure better infrastructure stability. However, Cenat confirmed that children from Makoko remain the primary beneficiaries and will have access to free education once the facility opens.
Funding and Sustainability
During his recent Mafiathon 3 event, Cenat revealed that over $1 million has already been raised for the project. He emphasized that the goal is to build a lasting institution rather than rushing the construction, outlining a plan for phased spending to ensure long-term sustainability.
Growing Influence
Cenat’s visit follows a recent tour by fellow streamer IShowSpeed, highlighting Nigeria’s growing prominence in the global digital space. While fans are enthusiastic about his return, some have called for more concrete timelines and visible progress on the ground.
DIVORCE OF THE DECADE 💔💰 CHOMBO’S MEGA-ESTATE SPLIT HEADS TO HIGH COURT The bitter divorce battle between former Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo and his estranged wife Marian has exploded into the High Court, after the couple failed to agree on how to divide a jaw-dropping matrimonial fortune.
Mrs Chombo is demanding 50 percent of all assets acquired during the marriage, a claim that has left observers stunned by the sheer size and reach of the estate. Her claim stretches across the country and beyond and includes 15 family vehicles, dozens of houses, flats and stands in prime suburbs and towns such as Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Kariba, Mutare, Chitungwiza and Beitbridge.
Also on the list are farms packed with heavy machinery, cattle, trucks and trailers, mining interests, safari lodges, shares in 10 family companies, and properties in South Africa.
Chombo is challenging both the scale of the claims and a US$2 000 monthly maintenance demand, setting the stage for a courtroom showdown. The High Court must now decide whether —and how one of Zimbabwe’s largest known marital estates will be divided.
Radar Blackout, Drone Swarm, ‘Sound That Made Us Bleed’: Shock Claim From Inside Maduro’s Guard A chilling account has emerged from inside Venezuela’s inner security ring, painting a scene straight out of a sci-fi war movie. Speaking to the New York Post, a member of President Nicolás Maduro’s security detail claims their defenses were knocked out in seconds—without warning.
According to the source, radar screens suddenly went dark, leaving troops blind. Moments later, the sky filled with drones hovering menacingly over their positions. Then came helicopters. Then came something far worse.
“At one point they launched something I can’t explain,” the guard said. “It wasn’t an explosion. It was a sound an intense wave.” What followed, he claims, was instant chaos. Guards collapsed as if struck from within. Noses began bleeding. Some vomited blood. Others were left frozen on the ground, unable to stand or move.
After the mysterious “sonic” attack, the source says, the unit was completely incapacitated raising explosive questions about unseen weapons, electronic warfare, and just how vulnerable even the most heavily guarded regimes may be.
LEADER OF SOUTH AFRICA’S SECOND LARGEST PARTY TO STEP DOWN
JOHN Steenhuisen has served as the Democratic Alliance leader since 2019 South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has said he will not seek re-election as the party’s leader in April, a move that may threaten the stability of the coalition government.
The DA, South Africa’s second largest party, entered into a coalition with its arch rival the African National Congress in 2024 after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority.
Steenhuisen took over leadership of the pro-business DA in 2019 and currently serves as agriculture minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government.
The 49-year-old was widely expected to run again but was reportedly forced to abandon his bid because of several controversies.
“For the rest of this term of office, I will focus all of my time and energy as minister of agriculture on defeating the most devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak our country has ever seen,” he told a press conference.
Steenhuisen began his political career aged 22 when he was elected to the council of the the port city of Durban for the Democratic Party, the DA’s predecessor.
He rose up through the party’s local and then regional leadership before becoming leader of the party, which traditionally has a white support base, two decades later.
It was widely reported that Steenhuisen would run unopposed for the leadership at the DA’s upcoming conference.
But it seems a variety of issues led to his decision not to do so, including his fallout with another senior DA member, ex-Environment Affairs Minister Dion George, and allegations, of which he was cleared in January, that he had abused his party credit card.
He has also been criticised for his handling of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, with farmers accusing his department of being an “obstacle in a crisis”, according to South Africa’s News24 website.
The country has struggled over the past four years to contain the highly infectious virus that has now spread to most the country’s provinces – badly affecting the livestock industry.
It causes blisters inside an animal’s mouth and under their hooves, which can cause lameness and problems feeding. In dairy cattle, milk yields will be lost and the cattle’s value will be permanently reduced.
Under Steenhuisen, the DA party agreed to join the ANC as its biggest partner in the government of national unity nearly two years ago.
It was an historic moment for the country as the ANC, the party that brought in democratic rule in 1994 with Nelson Mandela and ended white-minority rule, had lost its parliamentary majority.
As expected it has been a fractious political marriage, but despite some differences they have stayed together – and Steenhuisen and Ramaphosa have shown how the partnership can work.
This was best exemplified when they supported each other in the Oval Office showdown with US President Donald Trump in May last year.
After Trump confronted the delegation with a video in support of discredited claims of a white genocide in South Africa, it was Steenhuisen who assured the US president that the majority of white farmers wanted to stay in the country.
Their performance proved to South Africans that the government of national unity was worth the bickering at home.
No DA leaders have announced their candidacies for the top post yet, but Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has been touted as a possible successor.
Steenhuisen and Hill-Lewis are close and the latter has repeatedly said he would not run against his friend, according to the TimesLive news site.
“RELEASE THE VERDICT OR FACE THE STREETS!” MALEMA WARNS AS PHALAPHALA ROW BOILS OVER
EFF leader Julius Malema has slammed the Constitutional Court for what he calls an unacceptable delay in delivering judgment on the explosive Phalaphala case, branding it a matter of national urgency.
Malema accused the country’s highest court of dragging its feet while the nation waits for answers, warning that patience has run out. He announced that the EFF will take to the streets every month until the long-awaited ruling is finally released.
In a fiery attack, Malema also took aim at civil society organisations and political parties, accusing them of cowardice and silence in the face of what he described as a constitutional crisis. He said their failure to act has allowed the delay to continue unchecked.
The EFF leader insisted the matter must be pursued through legal channels but made it clear that public pressure will not ease. His message was blunt: the court must act or the protests will keep coming.
RED MAP REJECTED! SUPREME COURT CLEARS CALIFORNIA PLAN AS DEMS EYE BIG GAINS In a major political showdown, the US Supreme Court has given the green light to California’s voter-approved Prop 50 congressional map, brushing aside an emergency bid by the California Republican Party and the Trump administration to stop it in its tracks.
The high court refused to overturn a lower appeals court ruling, clearing the way for the new map to stand and handing Democrats a potential boost of up to five congressional seats. The decision marks a sharp setback for Republicans who had hoped to freeze the redraw ahead of November’s high-stakes election.
California Governor Gavin Newsom wasted no time celebrating, firing a direct shot at Donald Trump. Newsom said Trump had claimed he was “entitled” to five extra seats in Texas, accusing him of launching a nationwide redistricting war and losing it.
“This fight started with Trump,” Newsom declared. “He lost and he’ll lose again in November.” Game on.
“WE’RE READY TO RUN THE WORLD – AND MAKE IT FAIR,” SAYS BOTSWANA PRESIDENT
Botswana’s President Duma Boko has sent shockwaves through global politics with a bold declaration: Africa’s time has come — and the continent is ready to lead the world.
In a striking exchange with US media personality Tucker Carlson, Boko confidently stated that Africa is “poised to rule the world.” When Carlson cheekily asked what Africa’s plans would be once it takes the reins, Boko didn’t blink.
The president laid out a sweeping vision of a fairer global order one where wealth, innovation and opportunity are no longer hoarded by a powerful few. He said Africa’s leadership would focus on equity, justice and shared prosperity, ensuring that intellectual property, innovation and economic rewards are rooted within the continent.
Boko stressed that innovation must serve humanity as a whole, not a predatory elite, and that ordinary people everywhere should benefit from the world’s vast resources and opportunities.
His message was clear: Africa’s rise isn’t about domination, it’s about fairness, balance and a future where everyone gets a seat at the table. ~Bold truth
BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 After US-Iranian talks collapsed, an all-out war is now highly possible
Talks between Iran and the U.S. have collapsed after the U.S. did not agree to Iran’s demand to change the location to Oman, and limit the negotiations purely to the nuclear issue’ – Axios
We told them [the Iranians] it is this [Friday talks] or nothing, and they said, ‘Ok, then nothing,'” – A US official tells Axios.
We’re still willing to negotiate with Iran if they include the missile program and move the talks back to Istanbul. We urge Iran to reconsider the decision.’ – U.S. officials to Axios
‘We didn’t expect the Iranians to say no’ – U.S. official to Reuters
Following Iran’s cancellation of the planned talks, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will leave the Middle East and go back to Washington D.C. tomorrow
📰 BREAKING NEWS: 💰 Elon Musk Tops $850 Billion, Making History
Elon Musk has officially become the first person in history to surpass a $850 billion net worth, according to Bloomberg.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s wealth continues to grow due to rising stock prices and business ventures in electric vehicles, space exploration, and technology.
Analysts note that Musk’s financial achievements highlight the extreme concentration of wealth among a few tech moguls, while also raising questions about global wealth inequality. This milestone sets a new record in the history of individual fortunes worldwide.
Key Points: 💰 Elon Musk becomes the first person to surpass $850 billion 🚀 Wealth fueled by Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures 🌍 Raises discussions on global wealth concentration and inequality
Source: 4 Feb 2026 News Today USA, Bloomberg, Forbes
My Question: 🧐 How do you think Musk’s wealth impacts the tech industry and global economy? 🌍 Should governments consider policies to address extreme wealth concentration?
“WHEN THE SUN SETS, AFRICA SHALL RISE TO ITS GLORY”
-Wife of LATE SAIF AL-ISLAM GADDAFI, GADDAFFI’S RECENTLY MURDERED SON REVEALS HIS LAST WORDS.
“Two nights before the ugly incident that befell my husband,
he said to me:
“Ummar, the forces that fought against my father and brought him to his knees are now close to reaching me. I feel it is time.
It is so sad that the world may never get to know the truth, as we are born to survive in a world where darkness prevails over light.
However, when the time comes, Insha Allah, I will meet the Holy Prophet. Our non-existence will breed more Gaddafis that will sprout around Africa. When the sun sets, Africa shall rise to its glory!
勞MNANGAGWA’S ZIMBABWE OFFICIALLY APPLIES TO JOIN RAMAPHOSA’S BRICS—BREAKING FREE FROM WESTERN ECONOMIC CONTROL
Zimbabwe has formally submitted its application to join the BRICS coalition, led by Foreign Minister Professor Amon Murwira under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s directive.
This is not just diplomacy—this is Zimbabwe declaring economic independence.
THE STRATEGIC MOVE :
1️⃣ Zimbabwe has engaged ALL existing BRICS member states
2️⃣ Official application submitted on March 7, 2025
3️⃣ Russia has publicly endorsed Zimbabwe’s membership bid
4️⃣ Applied to join the New Development Bank (NDB)—BRICS’ financial arm
5️⃣ Awaiting consensus approval from BRICS members including South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa
WHAT BRICS MEMBERSHIP MEANS FOR ZIMBABWE:
✅ Access to wider trade channels beyond Western markets
✅ Technology transfer and innovation partnerships
✅ Stable long-term investment flows
✅ Reduced dependence on the US dollar
✅ Alternative to IMF and World Bank systems
✅ Strengthened financial sovereignty
President Mnangagwa is positioning Zimbabwe within the shifting global power structure—moving away from traditional Western dominance toward South-South cooperation.
With over 30 countries expressing interest in BRICS, Zimbabwe is joining a movement that represents the future of global economics.
This is about Africa choosing its own economic destiny.
President Ramaphosa and fellow BRICS leaders now hold Zimbabwe’s economic future in their hands.
The question is: Will BRICS welcome Zimbabwe into the fold?
MOROCCO FOOTBALL FEDERATION TO APPEAL CAF SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER FINAL
MOROCCO’S football federation says it will appeal disciplinary sanctions and fines imposed by the Confederation of African Football after last month’s chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.
It has criticised them as disproportionate to the “seriousness and gravity” of the incidents during the 18 January match, which Senegal won in extra time.
The game was overshadowed by a 14-minute interruption after Senegalese players staged a walk-off following a decision to disallow a goal late in regular time.
Senegal was also slapped with sporting and financial sanctions but its football federation last week said it would respect the disciplinary committees ruling.
Morocco, whose appeal to have the match result overturned was rejected by CAF, were also hit with sanctions totalling $315,000
These relate to what the confederation described as “misconduct” by Moroccan footballers, staff, and supporters, including the use of lasers to try and distract Senegalese players.
Forward Ismael Saibari was handed a three-match ban and a $100,000 fine for “unsporting behaviour”, while captain and defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches.
Both were penalised for attempting to remove Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel in heavy rain conditions.
STARMER ADMITS A COSTLY MISTAKE AND THE WORLD IS WATCHING
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly admitted something rare in politics. He said he regrets appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
Why
Because according to Starmer Mandelson repeatedly lied about his relationship with the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Let that sink in.
This is not gossip. This is not social media noise. This is a sitting Prime Minister saying he was misled by a powerful man trusted with one of the most sensitive diplomatic jobs in the world.
Mandelson was not just anyone. He was a senior political figure. A man sent to represent Britain in Washington. A man expected to be clean transparent and trustworthy.
Yet Starmer says the truth was hidden from him.
Now ask yourself slowly
If this can happen in Britain what happens in countries where leaders never admit mistakes
Starmer says he feels betrayed. Parliament is angry. Investigations are opening. People are asking how deep the lies went and who else knew.
This story is bigger than Britain.
It is about power protecting itself. It is about elites moving quietly while ordinary people are told nothing. It is about how dangerous lies become when they sit close to power.
In Africa we know this story too well.
How many appointments were made without truth How many leaders later said nothing when scandals exploded How many times were citizens expected to forget and move on
This is why accountability matters. This is why leadership is not just about speeches. This is why honesty at the top decides the fate of millions below.
At AsaliNews we break global power stories into clear language everyone can understand. We do not confuse you. We do not insult your intelligence. We speak with you not at you.
If you want real stories explained simply If you want global news that connects to African realities Follow AsaliNews today.
Because the truth always comes out. The question is who explains it to you first.
ZULU KING DEMANDS MIGRANTS TO LEAVE SOUTH AFRICA IMMEDIATELY.
South Africa ‘s Zulu king has sparked outrage after demanding that migrants leave the country following violent clashes near his home.
Speaking at a public event marking the British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini used a derogatory term for migrants from neighbouring African countries and said they should be forced to go.
The monarch claimed that growing numbers of South African women were having relationships with foreign men, and said that while any children born from those relationships could remain in the country, the men themselves must leave.
Although the 51-year-old holds no formal political power, his words carry significant weight among South Africa’s 12 million Zulus, who view him as a custodian of tradition and a powerful moral authority. His remarks come weeks after police were forced to deploy water cannons and stun grenades to break up violent demonstrations at a primary school in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
The unrest erupted after anti-immigration campaigners accused Addington Primary School of giving priority to the children of migrants over South African pupils.
Local authorities have denied this allegation and said that there was no evidence that immigration had caused a shortage of school places. South Africa’s Zulu king has sparked outrage after demanding that migrants leave the country following violent clashes near his home
Speaking at a public event marking the British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini used a derogatory term for migrants from neighbouring African countries and said they should be forced to go While urging calm and warning supporters not to take the law into their own hands, the king repeated his demand that foreign nationals leave the country.
Referring to the school clashes, he said: ‘What happened at Addington shows that we are being compromised by our sisters. But what can we do, because their children are our nephews and nieces?’
‘However, we must sit down and discuss this. Even if my nephew or niece is born of a foreign national, that foreign national must leave, while my nephew or niece should remain.’
The comments were met with cheers from the crowd, prompting the king to laugh as he spoke. Critics were quick to point out the irony of his remarks, noting that his own mother was from Eswatini and that one of his wives also comes from the neighbouring kingdom.
Xenophobia has long plagued South Africa, with repeated outbreaks of violence against migrants over the past decade.
The king’s comments echo those of his late father, Goodwill Zwelithini, who told migrants in 2015 to ‘pack their belongings’ and leave the country, remarks later ruled ‘hurtful and harmful’ by the nation’s human rights body.
More than ten years on, hostility towards migrants remains a volatile political issue, fuelled by claims that foreigners are taking jobs and benefiting from public services.
South Africa’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the world, hovering at around 33 per cent.
American boxer, Floyd Mayweather, has filed a blockbuster lawsuit against Showtime and former Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza, alleging missing earnings from several of his fights for the network including his 2017 showdown against UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
Mayweather inked a lucrative six-fight deal with the broadcaster back in 2013 and ended up having the last seven fights of his professional career aired on the platform. But claims the network owes him “hundreds of millions of dollars in the misappropriated funds and damages resulting from a long-running and elaborate scheme of financial fraud.”
Mayweather alleges that former advisor Al Haymon screwed him out of money with the “substantial participation and aid” of former Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza.
In the lawsuit, which was filed in California, Mayweather alleges that PBC owner Haymon misappropriated a “significant portion of his career earnings”.
Mayweather and his team believe the alleged amount misappropriated is in the region of $340MILLION (£250million).
Despite believing Haymon cheated him out of cash, Mayweather hasn’t named the powerful adviser in the suit.
Showtime and Espinoza are listed as defendants and are accused by Mayweather and his legal team of “aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy to commit fraud, conversion, and unjust enrichment.”
Mayweather and his new team believe the money is still “missing and unaccounted for” and have asked to review Showtime’s books.
But Showtime, according to the boxer, have claimed they’re unable to provide them as they were “lost in a flood”.
Mayweather’s legal team insists he’ll “go the distance” to recover the funds he’s allegedly been denied.
His lawyer, Bobby Samini, told TMZ: “Floyd is one of boxing’s biggest pay-per-view draws.
“He generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Showtime.
“Mr. Mayweather now takes this fight to the courtroom to recover what he rightfully earned.
“Retiring undefeated at 50-0, Mr. Mayweather will go the distance in the courtroom just as he has in the ring.”
Bill Gates has said he was “foolish” to spend time with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, expressing regret in his first interview since the release of the latest tranche of Epstein-related files by the United States Department of Justice.
The billionaire technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Microsoft also denied allegations contained in the documents suggesting he contracted a s3xually transmitted disease after alleged encounters with Russian women.
The claim appeared in a draft email dated 2013, which Epstein is said to have written to himself and which later surfaced in the newly released files.
In the document, Epstein allegedly claimed that he had been asked to arrange antibiotics for Gates to secretly give to his then wife. Responding to the allegation, Gates dismissed the email as false.
“Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false,” Gates said. “I don’t know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?”
Reflecting on his association with Epstein, Gates added: “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise that I did that.”
The remarks come after Gates’ former wife, Melinda Gates, publicly addressed the controversy for the first time. Speaking on an NPR podcast, she said: “I’m so happy to be away from all the muck.”
She added that the allegations brought back “very, very painful” memories from her marriage and said her former husband “needs to answer” questions arising from the scandal.
The couple divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, with Melinda Gates later saying that her ex-husband’s affairs and his relationship with Epstein were significant factors in the breakdown of the marriage.
In an interview with 9News, Gates confirmed that he met Epstein in 2011 and said they had several dinners over a period of about three years.
However, he insisted that he never visited Epstein’s private island and denied having any inappropriate relationships with women connected to the financier.
Describing Epstein at the time, Gates said: “He knew a lot of very rich people. He was saying he could get them to give money to global health. In retrospect, that was a dead end.”
Gates has pledged to donate his entire personal wealth through the Gates Foundation, an endowment estimated at around $200 billion, to efforts aimed at eradicating disease and improving global health.
He again characterised his interactions with Epstein as a serious mistake. “It was foolish,” Gates said, adding that he is among “many people who regret ever knowing him”.
The renewed scrutiny follows the release of millions of pages of Epstein-related records by the US Justice Department last week.
According to the files, Epstein wrote a lengthy message to himself on July 18, 2013, expressing anger at Gates for ending their association and making a series of unproven allegations.
The documents also suggest Epstein may have been drafting a letter intended to be sent by Boris Nikolic, a senior adviser to Gates at the time, who later resigned from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In one passage, Epstein allegedly wrote: “To add insult to the injury you then implore me to please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your pen!s.”
In another alleged draft, Epstein claimed he had been asked to assist Gates in matters ranging from “morally inappropriate” to “ethically unsound”, though these claims remain unsubstantiated.
The files also include undated photographs showing Epstein and Gates together with women whose identities have been redacted.
Gates has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said the documents would ultimately show that his association with Epstein “has nothing to do with that kind of behaviour”. Epstein d!ed in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal s3x-trafficking charges.
Bill Gates has not been accused of criminal conduct by any of Epstein’s victims, and his appearance in the files does not imply illegal activity.
A primary school teacher has been banned from the profession after it emerged that she worked as a p0rn actor on 0nlyF@ns under the title “granny schoolteacher”.
Lyndi Corston, 61, was exposed after a colleague noticed a push notification from the subscription platform on her phone while she was working at Rye Community Primary School in Sussex in September 2024.
At the time, Corston maintained that her 0nlyF@ns account involved only nudity and not s3x acts, and said the account was not registered in her name.
After agreeing to shut down the account and sign an enhanced code of conduct, she was initially allowed to keep her job. However, her employment agency, Engage Education, later discovered that Corston had also been identified performing full s3x acts on a separate pornographic website under the same title, “granny schoolteacher”.
She was subsequently referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency, where she admitted the full facts and accepted that her conduct was unprofessional.
A professional tribunal has now barred her from teaching, ruling that while teachers are entitled to a private life, there are limits when conduct risks undermining public confidence in the profession.
In its written decision, the panel said: “She was plainly at risk of being recognised, which happened, and that in turn brings public confidence into consideration. She chose to be depicted in the manner she was and willingly participated in a publicly accessible pornographic video and a personal 0nlyF@ns account. She was in a position of responsibility as a teacher, and members of the public rightly expect teachers to set a good example.”
The tribunal added that although the 0nlyF@ns activity took place outside school hours, it was directly linked to her role as a teacher. “It could potentially have led to pupils being exposed to, or influenced by, the behaviour in a harmful way,” the panel said.
The ruling noted there was some evidence of insight, with Corston now recognising and accepting that her behaviour was wrong.
However, the panel observed that when first challenged about her OnlyF@ns account, she said she did not necessarily regret her actions and referred to her right to a private life outside teaching.
After considering the circumstances behind her decision to engage in the work, details of which were redacted from the ruling, the tribunal imposed a ban with a two-year review period.
This means Corston may apply to return to teaching in the future, with the first review date set for January 2028.
Liverpool manager, Arne Slot has revealed that playing attractive, entertaining football matters more to him than simply collecting trophies at Anfield.
Speaking during a discussion on The Reds Roundtable, Slot reflected on last season’s Premier League title success, explaining that the style of football his team played gave him just as much satisfaction as lifting the trophy itself.
“As a manager, you can win the league, you can win the Champions League, you can win an FA Cup or a League Cup, but the biggest thing you can win is that you can play the nicest football to watch,” Slot said.
The Dutch tactician admitted that some supporters may not fully agree with his stance, but insisted that his philosophy remains unchanged.
“Although at this moment of time, fans might argue this a little bit, but it is absolutely something I am aiming for. I always want to have the ball, I always want to be intense, I want the fans to like what they see,” he added.
Slot went further to explain that failing to entertain fans during matches bothers him more than poor results or league positions.
“That is something I dislike the most. I would almost say even more than our results, even more than the league table, that not all of our fans are every single moment of the game seeing us as a joy to watch,” he said.
He acknowledged fans’ frustrations, admitting he often agrees with their criticisms.“The hardest thing is I even understand, because I agree with them,” Slot stated.
While trophies remain important, Slot believes identity and philosophy define a club far beyond silverware.
“Trophies are one thing. But being a team or a club or a manager that stands for something, that stands for good football, is, I think, in the long term even worth more.”
Libyan authorities have launched an investigation into the killing of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, in the city of Zintan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 4, the Libyan public prosecutor’s office said forensic experts had been deployed to Zintan, in northwestern Libya, where Seif al-Islam was shot dead. The office confirmed that investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
“The victim died from wounds by gunfire,” the prosecutor’s office said, adding that investigators were seeking to “speak to witnesses and anyone who may be able to shed light on the incident.”
Seif al-Islam’s lawyer, Marcel Ceccaldi, told AFP that his client was killed by an unidentified “four-man commando” who allegedly stormed his residence in Zintan on Tuesday.
Libya has remained deeply unstable since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that led to the overthrow and killing of Muammar Gaddafi. The country continues to grapple with political fragmentation and insecurity.
It is currently divided between a United Nations-backed government based in Tripoli and a rival eastern administration supported by military strongman Khalifa Haftar. Neither authority has officially commented on the killing of Seif al-Islam.
So far, the only public reaction has come from Moussa al-Kouni, vice-president of Libya’s Presidential Council representing the Fezzan region.
“No to political assassinations, no to achieving demands by force, and no to violence as a language or a means of expression,” al-Kouni wrote on X.
Michael Jackson’s chilling confession about choosing de@th over being prohibited from seeing children can now be heard for the first time.
In a new Channel 4 documentary, unheard audio clips and new information from Jackson’s 2005 child mol£station trial will be disclosed for the first time.
The new four-part documentary, titled The Trial, will share a clip, which Jackson says he would rather “k!ll himself” than be prohibited from seeing children ever again.
He added that he would have “nothing else to live for”.
Jackson said that children often gravitate towards him and “fall in love” with his child-like personality. He added that this could often get him into trouble.
The musician di£d aged 50 in June 2009 from acute propofol intoxication, administered by his doctor, Dr Conrad Murray. His de@th was ruled a homicide.
In the clip which airs tonight, Feb. 4, Jackson said: “There’s nothing more spiritual to me than children, I think it’s the most golden thing we have. I can be myself and jump into their magical world.”
He adds: “If you tell me right now, that ‘Michael, you could never see another child’… I would k!ll myself.”
The Thriller hitmaker went on to add: “I swear to you, I would, because I have nothing else to live for.”
Another recording hears the musician say: “Children want to just touch me and hug me.”
He added: “Kids end up falling in love with my personality – sometimes it gets me into trouble.”
Channel 4 said of the new series: “Featuring startling new revelations about the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson, this new series includes exclusive footage and unheard audio tapes of Jackson, his close insiders, and the LA police.”
The audio tapes are believed to shed more light on Jackson’s relationship with Gavin Arvizo. Gavin accused Jackson of s£xual molestation in 2005, claiming the musician showed him p0rnography and gave him alcohol.
The indictment included four counts of child mol£station, four counts of getting a child drunk with the purpose of mol£station and of conspiring to hold a boy and his family at his Neverland ranch.
After a four-month trial, Jackson was acquitted of all 14 charges.
A source told the New York Post of the audio recordings: “There is something extremely unusual and eerie about Michael Jackson’s infatuation with children. To hear his voice discuss children in this manner, given he had been accused on mol£station, raises many questions about his mental health, mindset and sadly, intentions.
“This is Michael at his most open, giving us an insight into how he was in love with children… infatuated with wanting to be around them.”
In his 2003 documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, he admitted that he allowed children into his home – and his bed, without parental supervision.
Meanwhile, Jackson’s former publicist also appears in the Channel 4 series and claims he “absolutely” believed the allegations against the singer.
He will be heard saying: “I believe there was a cover-up for so many years.”
Jackson’s estate has strongly denied all child mol£station allegations made against the singer.
A 23-year-old Indian woman, Tannu Singh, allegedly d!ed by su!cide after being deeply hurt by a derogatory remark made by her husband in front of her sister, police said.
The incident occurred at her residence in Indiranagar’s Takrohi area last Wednesday, Times of India reported.
The woman reportedly took the extreme step after her husband allegedly called her a “monkey” during a moment of joking, which left her emotionally distressed.
The deceased had married Rahul Srivastava, a resident of Takrohi, about four years ago following a love relationship.
Rahul works as an auto-rickshaw driver, while Tannu was learning modelling. The couple lived together in Indiranagar.
According to information shared by the husband, the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when Rahul, Tannu, her sister Anjali, and their son Abhay were at home.
During light-hearted banter, Rahul, along with Anjali, allegedly mocked Tannu and referred to her as a “monkey.”
The remark reportedly hurt Tannu deeply, following which she left the room without saying anything.
Despite repeated calls, there was no response. She then looked through a window and saw Tannu hanging from the ceiling.
Shocked, Anjali screamed for help.Hearing the cries, Rahul and neighbours rushed to the spot.
Melinda French Gates has reacted after emails in newly-released Epstein files showed her husband allegedly told Jeffrey Epstein that he needed STD medications to slip to his then-wife.
The newly-released files also alleged Bill Gates was involved with “Russian girls”.
Melinda, who is now divorced from the former richest man in the world, was asked about this revelation during an interview on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Melinda responded that her ex-husband, Bill Gates, needs to answer for the behavior alleged in the latest trove of private communications released in connection with convicted s£x offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Melinda Gates reacts to reports ex-husband Bill Gates allegedly tried to slip her medication after contracting an STD as revealed in Epstein files (video)
“For me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage,” Melinda French Gates said in an interview on NPR’s Wild Card podcast.
“Whatever questions remain there of what — I can’t even begin to know all of it — those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband,” she said. “They need to answer to those things, not me.”
Bill Gates is one of many influential people mentioned by name in the 3 million newly released pages of Epstein’s personal communications.
A spokesperson for Bill Gates has said, “These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.”
In emails, Epstein wrote that Bill Gates had come to him to facilitate trysts with married women and to get medication to treat an STI from “sex with Russian girls.”
Epstein also claimed that Bill Gates wanted to try to give that STI medication to Melinda French Gates in secret.
“To add insult to the injury you then implore me to please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your penis,” outlined one angry email from Epstein.
The files released by the Justice Department highlighted the extent of Epstein’s personal connections with powerful people
. In the interview with NPR, which will be released in full on Thursday, French Gates said that the latest flood of documents filled her with “unbelievable sadness” and reminded her of the struggles she faced in her marriage.
“I’m able to take my own sadness and look at those young girls and say, my God, how did that happen to those girls?” she said.
“At least for me, I’ve been able to move on in life, and I hope there’s some justice for those now-women.”
